Dirty tracks blamed for tram driver's electric shock

TRAM drivers fear maintenance cutbacks that led to dirty tram tracks are to blame for a recent incident in which a driver received an electric shock while standing on a tram floor.

Yarra Trams is investigating the January 11 incident, which forced the temporary shutdown of one of Melbourne's busiest tram corridors, between Melbourne University and La Trobe Street. The low-floor D-class tram - Melbourne's latest type - has been put out of action until the investigation is complete.

The driver was shocked moments after reporting to the fleet operations centre that his tram had suddenly lost power while shunting at the university tram terminus.

He was told to inspect whether the tram's pantograph had become disconnected from the overhead wires, which transmit 600 volts of electricity. He was shocked when he touched a metal barrier while leaning out of the tram door.

The driver was taken by ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital suffering symptoms of mild electric shock, and has yet to return to work.

Tram drivers and the union that represents them say they are concerned the injury happened as a result of the operator having made recent cuts to its track-cleaning schedule. Dirty or greasy tram tracks increase the risk of a tram becoming insulated and create the potential for a person to get an electric shock.

Yarra Trams insists it has made no cuts to its track-cleaning schedule.

Assistant secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Phil Altieri, said tram drivers were ''up in arms'' about what had happened and had lost confidence in the operator's ability to provide a safe workplace.

''I have a firm belief that we had an insulated tram because of dirty tracks resulting from a lack of maintenance,'' he said. ''[Yarra Trams] doesn't seem to want to take seriously the upkeep of the track system to ensure safety, by providing the correct equipment to do track cleaning.''

There have been more than a dozen reported incidents this month in which the dedicated track-cleaning truck, called ''Sadie'', was requested to clean dirty tracks but did not attend.

A Yarra Trams spokesman said its cleaning machines had been used five days a week, with extra cleaning happening on weekends as needed. He said the tracks at Melbourne University were cleaned less than two days before the driver was shocked.